Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected by complex pathways. How we experience and respond to stress, toxic stress, trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact our vulnerability to and resilience in the face of both chronic and infectious disease. Interventions to improve mental health and well-being may increase individual resilience, improve problem-solving skills and enhance social connection and cohesion.
Resources
OSHA Proposed Rule Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat
Six Policies That Advance Mental Health
Trends in Legal Challenges to Anti-Transgender Youth Sports Bans
Meeting the Promise of Racial Health Equity By Reducing Police Intervention in Suicide Prevention Activities: Law and Policy Solutions
2021 Public Health Law Conference Preview Webinar: Equitable COVID-19 Recovery
Equitable Rebuilding from COVID-19: Strengthening Protections for Families
Equitable Rebuilding from COVID-19: Ensuring Quality Care for Vulnerable Populations
Law and Policy Pathways to Addressing Rising Youth Suicide Rates
What to Know About “988,” A New National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number
COVID-19: Legal and Policy Strategies to Promote Mental Health
The Public Health Impacts of Legalized Sports Betting
Policy Surveillance: Preschool Social and Emotional Learning
Spotlight
Opportunity to Promote Public Health for Workers Exposed to Extreme Heat
Healing Across Generations: Addressing the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma Through Policy Interventions
Public Health Law Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Human Health Impacts of Climate Change
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A Closer Look at Mental Health and Well-Being
Historically, mental health has been viewed as primarily a matter of individual health. Just as we have come to understand the role of social, economic and environmental factors in physical health, there is growing awareness of the social determinants of mental health. Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected by complex pathways. How we experience and respond to stress, toxic stress, trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact our vulnerability to and resilience in the face of both chronic and infectious disease. Communities across the nation have identified mental health as an unmet need and a high priority during the community health needs assessment process. Interventions to improve mental health and well-being may increase individual resilience, improve problem-solving skills and enhance social connection and cohesion.
Law and policy interventions, including access to care, screenings, and education and stigma reduction can help promote mental health and well-being.
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